Ristorante Caffe Arena operates from the Roundhouse, which has closed its visitor centre and cancelled upcoming tours
Ristorante Caffe Arena at the Roundhouse(Image: Ristorante Caffe Arena)
The family behind a beloved Italian restaurant in a historic Birmingham location has shared its hopes for the future after the attraction it operates alongside closed.
Ristorante Caffe Arena is an Italian eatery situated within the Roundhouse, a treasured asset built in 1874 and from which walking and canal kayak tours of the city embark.
This week it was revealed that the visitor centre had closed at the Roundhouse and that all tours were ‘paused’ while a review is conducted amid ‘financial challenges’.
Read more: Birmingham National Trust property cancels all tours suddenly amid ‘financial challenges’
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During the closure announcement, it was confirmed that Ristorante Caffe Arena would remain open during the ‘pause’ and that it was just the visitor centre and tours that would end.
The restaurant is the creation of Shawky El Sayed, a cook that served as opera star Pavarotti’s private chef before coming to Birmingham where he opened Pane&Vino in Erdington.
Shawky runs the restaurants supported by his family, including daughter Fayruz.
Since it opened on February 4, 2024, the venue has earned a reputation for being ‘the best authentic Italian restaurant’ in the city, according to reviewers that gave it a 4.8 star rating out of five on Google Reviews.
Fayruz told BirminghamLive: “We’re not sure what the impact on our restaurant will be, considering that many of our guests are not linked with the Roundhouse activity. We’ll be able to determine this further on.
“We strongly hope that the Roundhouse will continue their activities, as they offer something unique and different essential for the Birmingham community.
“We really hope for the best and keep our fingers crossed for the best possible outcome. We really love having them around! They are the best and loveliest people you can possibly imagine.
“We’ll be still open as usual and we’ll do whatever possible to attract people to the Roundhouse, it’s such a lovely place that everyone should know about.
“We’ll also hope and do whatever in our power to keep our lovely neighbours with us.”
The Roundhouse Birmingham charity was set up by the National Trust and Canal and River Trust who worked together to preserve the Grade II-listed building.
Ristorante Caffe Arena can still be found at the Roundhouse, 1 Sheepcote Street, Birmingham, B16 8AE.
In recent reviews, customers praised the restaurant’s ‘homely atmosphere’, ‘excellent hospitality’ and ‘delicious’ food.
David Wall wrote: “Impeccable service. Genuine home cooked family food; couldn’t ask for more.”
Elena Vasile said: “Best Italian food in Birmingham. A family restaurant with a lovely atmosphere, authentic food. Everything lovely.”
Tracey McCabe commented: “Beautiful authentic Italian restaurant. We had the honour of tasting the famous family cherry liquor, which was amazing.”